Charles rettie



(No Model.)

0. BETTIE.

LATCH.

No. 420,963. 4 Patnted Feb. 11,1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES RETTIE, OF LIVERPOOL, COUNTY OF LANCASTER, ENGLAND.

LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent No. 420,963, dated February 11, 1890.

Application filed March 30, 1888. Serial No.

269,033. (No model.) Patented in England October 17, 1837, No. 14,082, and in Canada April 24, 1889, No. 31,192.

T at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES BETTIE, of Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Door-Catches, (for which I have obtained a patent in Great Britain,No. 14,082, bearing date October 17, 1887, and in Canada, No. 31,192, bearing date April 24, 1889,) andI do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in door-catches, and especially to such as are designed for use in ships and cars, where there is great jar and vibration.

It consists of a latch pivoted in a case, said case being adapted to be recessed in the side,

top, or bottom of a door, as is most convenient, and said latch possessing the features hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawings herewith accompanying and making a part of this application, Figure 1 is a view showing the catch in position in the edge of the side of a door. Fig. 2 is a detail showing arrangement of the spring and the form of the latch, and the same letters refer to like parts.

In the edge of the top, bottom, or side of a door is made a recess, extending entirely through the door. Into said recess is fitted a metal case having flanges also so recessed as to be even with the edge of the door, said flanges having holes for the attaching-screws. Pivoted in the case 0 is the latch proper f, having finger g and handle e. The latch has a rearfproj ection is integral therewith, adapted to rest upon or against the case, so as to limit the operation of the spring as it presses the finger outward, and also covers up what would be a hole in the door. WVere it not for the stop or shoulder in, when the door is open the spring would force the finger so far over that it would strike on the edge of the casing, and thus prevent the door from shutting. Between the rear of the recess in the case and the back of the latch is a spring 2', which constantly tends to force the fin er end of the 1atch outward, so that the fing er will engage with the clip t, set in the casing of the door.

Then the door is open or shut entir l the latch is in the case in the position shhv ii n Fig. 1. In shutting the door having my improved latch, when the inclined ed e of the finger it strikes the clip, the sprin 11 is compressed and allows the finger to be fdrced backward, thus permitting the door to be closed, when the spring again expands and forces the latch-finger into engagement with the clip. In order to open the door, push the handle or knob e outward toward the casin to unlock and then open. b

The advantages of my improved catch are that it is self-acting in closing; that it cannot fail to act, on accountof the point of the finger getting beyond the edge of the casing, that it is free from rattle; that it entirely closes up the hole in the door caused by the swim gin of the latch, and that it can be used at will in the top, bottom, or side edge of a door. I-Iavingthus described my invention and 1ts use, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

The combination, with a door having a recess n the edge thereof passing entirely through the door, of a metal casing set in said recess, a catch pivoted in said casing having a wedge-shaped finger on the inner end, a handle or knob on the outer end, and a rear pro3ect1on adapted to rest on said casing, and a spring between the finger end of the catch and the rear of the recess formed in the caslng, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affiX my signature in presence of witnesses.

CHARLES BETTIE. 

